Commencement Event Information

Graduation (or Commencement) will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2015, at Woolsey Hall at Yale University on the corner of College and Grove Streets in New Haven.

Student Arrival Time and Location

Students must assemble in the courtyard to the rear of Woolsey Hall.

Please arrive no later than 4:30 p.m.

The Procession begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.

Parents, families and friends will NOT be allowed into Woolsey Hall until 5:00 p.m.

Guest Arrival Time

Guests not seated before the beginning of the processional (promptly at 6:00 pm) will NOT be permitted into Woolsey Hall until AFTER the processional has ended. To honor all graduates, we require a commitment from you and your guests to remain in your designated seat for the duration of the ceremony (approximately two hours). All cell phones, food, beverages, baby carriages and helium balloons are strictly prohibited.

Name Cards for Graduating Students

You will be given your GraduateName Card on the day of graduation upon checking in. The purpose of this card is to announce your name and degree/certificate. The Graduate Name Card also serves as the information card for the photographers at the ceremony. Graduates will have the option of purchasing photographs by filling out the card. However, there is no obligation to do so.

Invitation Tickets

Beginning TBA, you may pick up invitations from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Dean of Student Affairs Office, Room N-220.

A photo ID is required to pick up your tickets.

Three (3) invitations will be given per graduate. At the time you pick up your invitations you may place your name on a wait list for extra tickets. There is no guarantee that extra tickets will become available.

NO TICKETS WILL BE GIVEN OUT ON THE DAY OF GRADUATION – THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 or during GRADUATION REHEARSAL - THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.!

Photographs

A professional photographer will be available to take a portrait photograph on TBA in Room N100 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A photograph will also be taken at Graduation when diplomas are presented to each participant. The Graduate Name Card also serves as the information card for the photographers. Candidates will have the option of purchasing photographs by filling out the card. However, there is no obligation to do so.

Caps & Gowns

Cap and gown are required for all graduation candidates. The cost of the cap and gowns will be TBA plus tax. With presentation of proper photo identification, you may pick up your cap and gown at the College Bookstore in N-109 beginning TBA at 9:00 a.m. until Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.

Awards Convocation

The 2014 Awards Convocation will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room, N-100. Students receiving awards will be notified by mail. The event is open to all students, faculty and staff to attend and support our award recipients.

Graduation Rehearsal

Rehearsal will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Woolsey Hall. Please make every effort to attend. There are four (4) available parking lots on Rehearsal day only. Please plan ahead to be prompt.

Directions to Woolsey Hall

Route 15 (Wilbur Cross/Merritt Parkways)

From the north: Take Exit 61. Drive south on Whitney Avenue for approximately five miles. Turn right on Sachem Street at the Peabody Museum traffic light. Continue to next traffic light (at Prospect Street) and turn left. Proceed for two blocks until Prospect Street becomes College Street at the Woolsey Hall Rotunda. Turn right onto Grove Street.

From the south: Take Exit 57. Drive east on Route 34 (Derby Avenue) for five miles to the fork of Derby Avenue and George Street (Three blocks past the Yale Athletic Fields). Bear right on George Street. Continue on George Street to York Street. Turn right onto Elm Street, take left onto College Street to Grove Street.

Interstate 91 South

From the north: Take Exit 3 (Trumbull Street Exit). Continue to the end of Trumbull Street to the fifth traffic light. Turn left onto Prospect Street and continue for one block. Prospect Street becomes College Street at this point (at the Woolsey Hall Rotunda). Turn right onto Grove Street.

Interstate 95

From the north: Turn off I-95 at exit 48 for I-91 North (Hartford/Springfield) and continue for a short distance on I-91 to Trumbull Street Exit 3. After exiting onto Trumbull Street, continue to the end of Trumbull Street to the fifth traffic light. Turn left onto Prospect Street and continue for one block.

From the south: Take Downtown New Haven Exit 47. Proceed to the first exit to the city streets. This brings you onto North Frontage Road. Continue for four blocks to York Street. After turning right onto York Street, proceed right to Elm Street, take left onto College Street to Grove Street.

Parking (for Rehearsal and Commencement)

For Rehearsal on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., there are four (4) parking areas available. For Graduation on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., six (6) parking areas are available for use by students and their guests after 4:00 p.m. It is expected that on-street parking laws for the City of New Haven shall be obeyed.

Disability Needs

If you or any of your guest(s) require accessible seating due to a disability, it is necessary for you to contact us to reserve a seat. Due to limited space, we may not be able to meet your needs without prior notification.